Kenneth Dale Herrod

ELMORE CITY, Oklahoma -- Kenneth Dale Herrod, 66, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior suddenly and without warning from a massive heart attack on Sept. 15, 2010.

Services were Sept. 17, 2010 at Abundant Love Fellowship Church in Maysville, Oklahoma with the Rev. Danny Gamble officiating.

Ken was born Dec. 22, 1943, in McCook, Nebraska to George and Annabelle Herrod. Ken's early school years were spent in McCook. After a short time in California, he came back to Nebraska and settled in Trenton. During his high school years Ken met his future wife, Kerry Strayer, in 1960, at Career Day held at McCook Junior College, and they soon became a "couple." Ken graduated from Trenton High School in 1961, and spent the following year in San Rafael, California.

During the summer of 1962, God's plan for Ken was revealed. Ken and Kerry were united in marriage Jan. 12, 1963, in Oberlin, Kansas. They made their home in McCook where Kirk Austin was born Sept. 21, 1963. The Herrod's moved to California settling in Petaluma where Ken worked in the swimming pool business. Kenneth Dale Junior was born Feb. 24, 1967, in Novato, California and the family was complete.

In March of 1977, Ken moved his family to Oklahoma and he was blessed with dedicating one year to work on his pen and ink drawings and other art endeavors.

Ken was employed at Pauls Valley State School for 13 years and retired at the age of 46 to become an emu farmer.

Ken finished his employment years at Curwood, Inc. and took full retirement after ten years on June 24, 2006.

Ken was a man of great strength and integrity. His love of God never wavered. His role as a dad; his greatest accomplishment. His adoration of his grandchildren; they "shined" in his eyes. His love of live; always ready to try something new. His passion for his art, a God-given talent, pen and ink, poetry, design rubber stamp company, to the final and fulfilling bronze sculptures; he touched so many lives. His work ethics; the plant described it best, "Ken was an inspiration to me, I will value his examples of hard work, dedication, and patriotism forever."

Ken leaves behind his wife of 47 years, 8 months and 2 days, Kerry of the home; Kirk Austin and son, Logan James of Davis, Oklahoma; Ken Jr. and wife, Shannon, and children Colton Shane, Rebecca Ryan Lea, and Molly Grace, all of Elmore City, Oklahoma; brother, Duane and wife, Myrna of Wynnewood, Oklahoma; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his dad, George, in 1976; and an older brother, Lloyd in March of 2010.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:4-10 (NIV)